Pro-Ject's Debut PRO is far more than a special edition, states the Austrian company. In fact, we're told that it's a new premium addition to the Debut range that exhibits "the very best technical design, elegant aesthetics and true high-end sound from an affordable audiophile device". In short, this is no limited edition deal.

The Debut PRO takes the basic Debut design and promises to improve every aspect, with each component reengineered for high-end performance.

Debut PRO Tonearm

Starting with the tonearm, the Debut PRO is the first Debut model to feature Pro-Ject's Carbon-Aluminium one-piece tonearm technology.

The 8.6-inch tube is said to be incredibly light and rigid, thanks to the lightweight, sturdy characteristics of carbon fibre and combining it with aluminium for its added damping properties and better electrical shielding. The apparent result here is improved resistance to external interferences.

The Debut PRO tonearm can also be adjusted for accurate azimuth and VTA (vertical tracking angle) settings and is finished with a new CNC-milled aluminium bearing block with special bearings, high-purity copper internal tonearm wiring, and a shielded junction box with gold-plated RCA output connectors. In addition, the tonearm is supplied with the new Pick-IT PRO moving magnet cartridge pre-installed and aligned.

Pro-Ject Pick-IT PRO

For the Pick-IT PRO, Pro-Ject worked closely with Ortofon to develop something new.

As a result, the new cartridge bosts a livelier and robust sound with a big dynamic range, says the brand. Although the Pick-IT PRO is based on the classic Ortofon 2M body, we are informed that the sound is more inspired by traditional SPU designs with lower compliance, lower capacitance and slightly higher output.

Debut PRO Chassis, Platter and Motor

The Debut PRO comes with a satin black paint finish to its MDF chassis.

Furthermore, the in-house designed and manufactured AC drive motor is decoupled from the main chassis by a mounting plate with TPE-damped fixing points. Pro-Ject says that this mounting plate isolates the motor while still keeping it perfectly level with the sub-platter drive system for absolute speed stability (33: +/-0.40%; 45: +/-0.50%). The turntable plinth also sits on three height-adjustable metal feet with TPE-damping in a unique nickel-plated finish for the Debut PRO.

The design features a sub-platter mounted into a precision-engineered main bearing with bronze bushing. The sub-platter sits beneath the brand new heavy aluminium platter, which has a ring of TPE damping, held in place by an additional stabilising ring of aluminium, effectively damping all resonances, we're assured. The high mass of the platter also minimises wow and flutter (33 = 0.16% / 45 = 0.14% ) for a cleaner sonic performance.

The chassis-mounted rocker switch flicks the Debut PRO between 33 and 45 RPM, whereas 78s can also be accommodated by setting to switch to 45 and manually adjusting the drive belt to a larger pulley ring.

As well as the fitted Pick-IT Pro cartridge, the Debut PRO comes with all of the accessories you need, including a dust cover and a Connect-IT E phono cable in the box.

The Pro-JEct Debut PRO is available from September for an SRP of £699. Record Puck PRO is also seen in the images above and will be available separately soon.  

Visit Pro-Ject for more information